Footnote

On 4 September 1933, at Campo Columbia, non-commissioned officers unexpectedly arrested their superiors and took over command of the island's military forces. The ‘Sergeants' Revolt’ had been skilfully organised by Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar. Batista then appointed himself chief of the armed forces and as such exerted control over the five-member presidency during the period 1933-40. He was later elected President, serving 1940-44. In 1952 with the backing of the U.S.A. he led a coup and served as unelected President, 1952-59, until ousted by the forces of Fidel Castro.